Solid metal fragmentation sleeve

ABSTRACT

A fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device is disclosed. The fragmentation sleeve may include a cylindrical side wall having a plurality of fragmentation portions. The cylindrical side wall may further include a plurality of longitudinally extending separation portions and a plurality of circumferentially extending separation portions.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described herein includes contributions by one or moreemployees of the Department of the Navy made in performance of officialduties and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the UnitedStates Government without payment of any royalties thereon.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to fragmentation sleeves and,more particularly, to field-assembled solid metal fragmentation sleeves.Illustratively, a removable fragmentation sleeve for use with a handdeployable, non-fragmenting explosive device is disclosed. Thefragmentation sleeve may be used with any hand deployable explosivedevice, such as an offensive hand grenade or concussion grenade, but isnot limited thereto.

Hand deployable explosive devices may be fragmenting or non-fragmenting.Upon detonation, fragmenting explosive devices, such as fragmentationgrenades, are configured to propel a plurality of fragmentation portionstoward a target. While non-fragmenting explosive devices, such asconcussion grenades, are not configured to produce fragmentationportions (e.g., flechettes, shrapnel) upon detonation, these explosivedevices may produce greater shock waves than fragmenting explosivedevices. An explosive device capable of producing enhanced shock waves(as with concussion grenades) selectively with fragmentation portions(as with fragmentation grenades) may increase versatility in the field.

The fragmentation sleeve of the present disclosure is configured to beeasily stowed and quickly assembled in the field. The solidfragmentation sleeve increases versatility in field applications. Moreparticularly, a removable, solid fragmentation sleeve provides theoption to add fragmentation portions to a non-fragmenting explosivedevice. As such, enhanced shock waves of the non-fragmenting explosivedevice may be combined with the fragmentation portions of a fragmentingexplosive device.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, afragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device isshown. The fragmentation sleeve includes a cylindrical side walldefining a longitudinal axis. The side wall may include a plurality offragmentation portions having a first wall thickness. The fragmentationsleeve further includes a plurality of longitudinally extendingseparation portions, each longitudinally extending separation portionextending between circumferentially spaced fragmentation portions. Thefragmentation sleeve further includes a plurality of circumferentiallyextending separation portions, each circumferentially extendingseparation portion extending between longitudinally spaced fragmentationportions. The longitudinally extending separation portions and thecircumferentially extending separation portions have a second wallthickness. The second wall thickness is illustratively less than thefirst wall thickness.

A further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure includes afragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device,the sleeve having a wall with an inner surface defining a chamberconfigured to receive a hand held explosive device. The wallillustratively includes a plurality of fragmentation portions and aplurality of first separation portions extending longitudinally betweenadjacent fragmentation portions. The wall of the fragmentation sleevealso illustratively includes a plurality of second separation portionsextending substantially perpendicular to the first separation portionsand extending between adjacent fragmentation portions. A coupler issupported by the wall and is configured to releasably couple the handheld explosive device to the wall.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,a method of using a fragmentation sleeve with a non-fragmentingexplosive device includes the steps of providing a hand held explosivedevice, and slidably receiving the explosive device within afragmentation sleeve having a side wall supporting a plurality offragmentation portions. The method may further include the step ofdetonating the explosive device. Upon detonation, the wall separatesalong a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extendingseparation portions and a plurality of longitudinally spaced,circumferentially extending separation portions. The method furtherincludes the step of propelling the plurality of fragmentation portionspositioned between the plurality of circumferentially spaced,longitudinally extending separation portions and the plurality oflongitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending separation portions.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the intended advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative solidfragmentation sleeve, a retainer clip, and a hand deployable explosivedevice;

FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the solid fragmentationsleeve, the retainer clip, and the hand deployable explosive device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fragmentation sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fragmentation sleeve taken alongline 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fragmentation sleeve taken alongline 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of an alternative embodiment of an innersurface of the fragmentation sleeve; and

FIG. 9 is a detailed top view of the retainer clip of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. Although the drawings representembodiments of various features and components according to the presentdisclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certainfeatures may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explainthe present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrateembodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principals of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed beloware not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, theembodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the artmay utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation ofthe scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includesany alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devicesand described methods and further applications of the principles of theinvention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an illustrative solidfragmentation sleeve 10 and a hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosivedevice 100 are shown. Hand deployable, or hand held, explosive device100 may be an offensive hand grenade, often referred to as a concussiongrenade. Such explosive devices may be carried in the field and arecapable of being thrown or placed at a desired location by an operatorwithout the use of a separate propellant. Hand deployable explosivedevices may be used for concussion effects in enclosed areas.Additionally, hand deployable explosive devices may be used for blastingor other demolition operations.

An illustrative hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device is anoffensive hand grenade (OHG), which may include approximately eightounces of explosive material and weigh approximately 16 ounces.Furthermore, illustrative OHGs are often configured to be thrown adistance of approximately 130 feet. An illustrative OHG may have aneffective radius of approximately six feet in an open area, resultingfrom a shock front moving at approximately 170,000 mph with an explosiveloading of approximately 3,000,000 psi. An illustrative example of handdeployable explosive device 100 is the MK3A2 OHG.

Solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 may slidably receive non-fragmentingexplosive device 100. More particularly, sleeve 10 includes acylindrical side wall 20 having an inner diameter (id) dimensioned toreceive a cylindrical body 103 of explosive device 100 (FIG. 4). Anouter diameter (od) of side wall 20 is dimensioned to accommodate thedetonation means of explosive device 100 (FIG. 4). The detonation meansof explosive device 100 illustratively include a safety lever 101 and apull ring 102. When pull ring 102 is removed and safety lever 101 isreleased, a fuse within explosive device 100 is ignited in order todetonate explosive material within body 103 of explosive device 100after a predetermined time period. To prevent interference with safetylever 101 of explosive device 100, the outer surface of side wall 20,defined by outer diameter (od), should not contact the inner surface ofsafety lever 101. In this way, the dimensions of solid sleeve 10 aredetermined based upon the size and shape of explosive device 100. Thedimensions of sleeve 10 disclosed herein are specific to theillustrative embodiment of explosive device 100; however, the dimensionsof sleeve 10 may vary to accommodate different explosive devices.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, cylindrical side wall 20 illustratively extendsbetween opposing ends 23 and 24 of fragmentation sleeve 10 along alongitudinal axis 25. Side wall 20 is illustratively formed of a solid,rigid material, such as metal. For example, cylindrical side wall 20 ofsleeve 10 may be comprised of steel or aluminum. Cylindrical side wall20 may be comprised of other material (e.g., ceramic) having asufficient material properties (e.g., combination of tensile strength,density, and hardness) for providing desired impact during an explosion.Also, cylindrical side wall 20 is configured to maintain structuralintegrity and resist deformation if sleeve 10 is accidentally dropped,bounced, stepped on, or kicked during transport. Cylindrical side wall20 further defines a circumference 26 extending perpendicular tolongitudinal axis 25. Cylindrical side wall 20 is shown having a firstwall thickness (t₁) of at least 0.20 inches (FIG. 4). Illustratively,solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 may have a length (l) extendingaxially approximately 3.5 inches (FIG. 3). Inner diameter (id) of sleeve10 is illustratively approximately 2.1 inches, while outer diameter (od)of solid sleeve 10 is illustratively approximately 2.5 inches (FIG. 4).

Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 illustratively includes a base member 60that provides a closed end of sleeve 10. More particularly,fragmentation sleeve 10 includes open, upper end 23 to receive explosivedevice 100 and lower end 24 to support base member 60. Body 103 ofexplosive device 100 may fit clearingly fit within solid sleeve 10 toavoid interference with the outer surface of side wall 20 and facilitatefield assembly. Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 illustratively includes acoupler, such as a retainer clip 50, to secure explosive device 100within sleeve 10. Solid sleeve 10 and explosive device 100 may includeother conventional couplers to secure explosive device 100 withinfragmentation sleeve 10. For example, fragmentation sleeve 10 andexplosive device 100 may include cooperating pins, grooves, hook andloop fasteners, resilient fingers, adhesive, double-sided tape, suctioncups, or other fasteners.

Cylindrical side wall 20 may further include a plurality oflongitudinally extending separation portions 30 and a plurality ofcircumferentially extending separation portions 32. Longitudinallyextending separation portions 30 and circumferentially extendingseparation portions 32 illustratively intersect at right angles todefine a plurality of fragmentation portions 40.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 extend parallel tolongitudinal axis 25. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30are illustratively formed in the metal comprising cylindrical side wall20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Longitudinally extending separationportions 30 may extend parallel to adjacent longitudinally extendingseparation portions 30 along an outer surface of cylindrical side wall20. Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 illustrativelyextend axially approximately 3.5 inches. Illustratively, longitudinallyextending separation portions 30 are spaced approximately 0.13 inchesapart from adjacent longitudinally extending separation portions 30.Furthermore, illustrative longitudinally extending separation portions30 may have a width no greater than 0.06 inches. The width oflongitudinally extending separation portions 30 may vary with differentmanufacturing methods. For example, it may be advantageous in certainsituations to increase the size of fragmentation portions 40 byminimizing the width of adjacent longitudinally extending separationportions 30. In cross-section, longitudinally extending separationportions 30 may define a rectangle. Longitudinally extending separationportions 30 are defined by cylindrical side wall 20 having a second wallthickness (t₂) of approximately 0.06 inches (FIG. 4). Second wallthickness (t₂) of side wall 20 is defined based upon material propertiesand environmental conditions such that separation portions 30, 32maintain structural integrity during normal use (e.g., storage,transport, and deployment), but effectively fracture or separate duringdetonation of the explosive device 100 (e.g., operation).

Referring further to FIG. 3, cylindrical side wall 20 includes theplurality of circumferentially extending separation portions 32positioned inwardly from the outer surface of cylindrical side wall 20.Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are illustrativelyformed integral with side wall 20, and may be comprised of the metal ofcylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Eachcircumferentially extending separation portion 32 illustratively extendsparallel to adjacent circumferentially extending separation portions 32.Adjacent circumferentially extending separation portions 32 areillustratively spaced apart by 0.09 inches. Circumferentially extendingseparation portions 32 also may extend parallel to circumference 26 ofcylindrical side wall 20. Circumferentially extending separationportions 32 may extend at least seven inches around circumference 26 ofcylindrical side wall 20. Further, circumferentially extendingseparation portions 32 may extend perpendicular to longitudinallyextending separation portions 30. Circumferentially extending separationportions 32 illustratively have a height no greater than 0.06 inches anddefine a rectangle in cross-section. Different manufacturing methods maybe used to minimize the height of circumferentially extending separationportions 32. By minimizing the height of circumferentially extendingseparation portions 32, the size of adjacent fragmentation portions 40may increase, which may be advantageous in certain circumstances.Circumferentially extending separation portions 32 are defined bycylindrical side wall 20 having second wall thickness (t₂) ofapproximately 0.06 inches.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 illustratively intersectat right angles with circumferentially extending separation portions 32to define the plurality of fragmentation portions 40 supported bycylindrical side wall 20. Fragmentation portions 40 are illustrativelyformed integral with side wall 20, and may be comprised of the metalcomprising cylindrical side wall 20 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Thethickness of fragmentation portions 40 may be the first wall thickness(t₁) of cylindrical side wall 20. As such, the cooperation between outerdiameter (od) of side wall 20 and safety lever 101 of explosive device100 may limit the thickness of side wall 20, thereby limiting thethickness of fragmentation portions 40. In this way, fragmentationportions 40, longitudinally extending separation portions 30, andcircumferentially extending separation portions 32 are all integral withcylindrical wall 20.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, fragmentation portions 40 are shown in aseries of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced columns anda series of circumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced rows. Inthe illustrative embodiments, there are 40 columns of fragmentationportions 40 extending longitudinally and 20 rows of fragmentationportions 40 extending circumferentially. Cylindrical side wall 20supports at least 220 fragmentation portions 40, however, the totalnumber of fragmentation portions 40 may vary, depending on theapplication for which sleeve 10 is needed. In the illustrativeembodiment, side wall 20 supports 800 fragmentation portions 40.Adjacent longitudinally extending columns may be circumferentiallyspaced apart by a distance no greater than 0.06 inches (the width oflongitudinally extending separation portions 30), and adjacentcircumferentially extending rows may be longitudinally spaced apart by adistance no greater than 0.06 inches (the width of circumferentiallyextending separation portions 32).

Fragmentation portions 40 may define a plurality of shapes, althoughillustratively fragmentation portions 40 are rectangular prisms, orparallelepipeds. Fragmentation portions 40 having a parallelepipedconfiguration include flat surfaces for receiving the shock wavesproduced by explosive device 100. Flat surfaces of fragmentationportions 40 are effective in coupling the momentum of the shock waves.Fragmentation portions 40 may have a width of approximately 0.13 inches,a height of approximately 0.10 inches, and a thickness of approximately0.20 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, solid metal fragmentation sleeve 10 mayfurther include base member 60. Base member 60 may be coupled to lowerend 24 of cylindrical side wall 20 to define a closed cylinder.Illustratively, base member 60 has a circular configuration, and mayinclude a solid outer cylindrical surface or a row of fragmentationportions 40 defining the outer cylindrical surface. Base member 60 mayfurther include a plurality of first separation portions 63 and aplurality of second separation portions 64. First separation portions 63illustratively intersect at right angles with second separation portions64 to define a plurality of base fragmentation portions 65. Base member60 may be formed of the same metal comprising cylindrical side wall 20(i.e., steel or aluminum). In one illustrative embodiment, base member60 is integral with cylindrical side wall 20. In other embodiments, basemember 60 may be coupled to cylindrical side wall 20 using conventionalcoupling means, such as welding or fasteners. Base member 60 may have afirst base thickness of approximately 0.20 inches (t₁) and an outerdiameter (od) of approximately 2.5 inches (FIGS. 5 and 6).

First separation portions 63 extend in a first direction along an outersurface of base member 60. First separation portions 63 areillustratively formed integral with base member 60, and may be comprisedof the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Each firstseparation portion 63 may be positioned parallel to adjacent firstseparation portions 63. First separation portions 63 may have a width nogreater than 0.06 inches and may be spaced apart from adjacent firstseparation portions 63 by at least 0.13 inches. In cross-section, firstseparation portions 63 may define a rectangle. Furthermore, firstseparation portions 63 may have a thickness of at least 0.06 inches(t₂), thereby giving base member 60 a second thickness of at least 0.06inches (FIG. 6).

Second separation portions 64 are illustratively formed integral withbase member 60, and may be comprised of the metal of base member 60(i.e., steel or aluminum). Second separation portions 64 extend in asecond direction along the outer surface of base member 60. Each secondseparation portion 64 may be parallel to adjacent second separationportions 64 and perpendicular to first separation portions 63. Secondseparation portions 64 may have a height no greater than 0.06 inches. Incross-section, second separation portions 64 may define a rectangle.Furthermore, second separation portions 64 may be spaced apart fromadjacent second separation portions 64 by at least 0.10 inches.Additionally, second separation portions 64 may have a thickness of atleast 0.06 inches, thereby also giving base member a second thickness ofat least 0.06 inches.

Referring to FIG. 5, base member 60 may include a solid metal portion 66extending along the perimeter of base member 60. Solid metal portion 66may be comprised of the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel oraluminum). First separation portions 63 and second separation portions64 do not extend into solid portion 66 of base member 60. Solid metalportion 66 may have a width of at least 0.15 inches and generallysurrounds first separation portions 63 and second separation portions64. However, in other illustrative embodiments, first separationportions 63 and second separation portions 64 may extend to theperimeter of base member 60, thereby eliminating solid metal portion 66and increasing the number of base fragmentation portions 65.

First separation portions 63 illustratively intersect with secondseparation portions 64. This intersection of first separation portions63 and second separation portions 64 may define plurality of basefragmentation portions 65. Base fragmentation portions 65 areillustratively formed integral with base member 60, and may be comprisedof the metal of base member 60 (i.e., steel or aluminum). Basefragmentation portions 65 may have a width of approximately 0.13 inchesand a length of approximately 0.10 inches. Additionally, base member 60and, therefore, base fragmentation portions 65 may have a firstthickness (t₁) of at least 0.20 inches. Base fragmentation portions 65may have a mass that is substantially similar to the mass offragmentation portions 40. Base fragmentation portions 65 may define aplurality of shapes, although illustratively base fragmentation portions65 are rectangular prisms or parallelepipeds. Base fragmentationportions 65 may be more effective for certain applications when in aparallelepiped configuration because the flat surfaces receive the shockwaves produced by explosive device 100, and therefore, effectivelycouple the momentum of the shock waves.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, inner diameter (id) of fragmentation sleeve10 and base member 60 may define a receiving chamber 70 of cylindricalside wall 20. Receiving chamber 70 may extend from upper end 23 offragmentation sleeve 10 to base member 60. Receiving chamber 70 may beat least two inches in diameter and extend axially approximately 3.3inches. Body 103 of hand deployable explosive device 100 may be receivedwithin receiving chamber 70.

Referring to FIG. 9, retainer clip 50 may cooperate with receivingchamber 70 to secure body 103 of hand held explosive device 100 withinfragmentation sleeve 10. Retainer clip 50 may be comprised of metal.Illustratively, retainer clip 50 is comprised of stainless steel wireformed in a generally semi-circular configuration and includes an openend 53 extending between a first portion 54 and a second portion 56.Specifically, retainer clip 50 includes a retaining diameter (rd),defined by first portion 54 and second portion 56. Additionally,retainer clip 50 includes a base 57. Base 57 biases portions 54, 56outwardly away from each other to define retaining diameter (rd).Retainer clip 50 is at least partially received within retaining groove51, having a radius of approximately 0.05 inches, along an inner surfaceof cylindrical side wall 20. Furthermore, retainer clip 50 cooperateswith a cooperating groove 104 on body 103 of explosive device 100 toretain explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. As such, retainingdiameter (rd) of retainer clip 50 is greater than inner diameter (id) ofsleeve 10.

Retainer clip 50 may have a wire gauge of approximately 0.06 inches.Retaining diameter (rd) is illustratively 2.25 inches but may vary withthe wire gauge. Additionally, the dimensions of retainer clip 50 mayvary, depending on the type of explosive device being used with sleeve10. First portion 54 and second portion 56 of retainer clip 50illustratively extend toward open end 53 of retainer clip 50. In theillustrative embodiment, open end 53 illustratively is 0.95 inches wide.

Illustratively, retainer clip 50 is positioned approximately one inchfrom the outer surface of base member 60 and extends along innerdiameter (id) of cylindrical side wall 20. Illustratively, the innersurface of cylindrical wall 20 includes a smooth, or flat, surfacesurrounding receiving chamber 70. Retainer clip 50 may be configured tofit within retaining groove 51 within the inner surface of cylindricalside wall 20.

Referring to FIG. 1, retainer clip 50 also may be configured tocooperate along an outer surface of body 103 of hand held explosivedevice 100. Illustratively, explosive device 100 includes cooperatinggroove 104 for receiving retainer clip 50. In this way, retainer clip 50assists in holding hand held explosive device 100 within receivingchamber 70 of cylindrical side wall 20 when sleeve 10 is thrown, bouncedor dropped. Retainer clip 50 facilitates field assembly of explosivedevice 100 within sleeve 10. Additionally, by using retainer clip 50, nomodifications to body 103 of explosive device 100 are required in orderto retain explosive device 100 within sleeve 10. Furthermore, retainerclip 50 is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the inner surface ofcylindrical side wall 20 is shown. The inner surface may include aplurality of wedged, or angled, separation portions 80 may improveseparation of fragmentation portions 40 in sleeves having larger innerdiameters. Wedged separation portions 80 may be positioned oppositeseparation portions 30, 32. Wedged separation portions 80 may extendlongitudinally and circumferentially. In this way, wedged separationportions 80 may intersect other wedged separation portions 80.Illustratively, each wedged separation portion 80 includes a 45° angle.

Solid fragmentation sleeve 10 may be manufactured in a precisionmachining process. In this way, a solid ingot, or brick, of metal (i.e.,steel or aluminum) may be machined to form fragmentation sleeve 10 andits features. As such, base member 60 may be integrally coupled tocylindrical side wall 20. This would eliminate the need for anyconvention fasteners or couplers (e.g., screws, welds, or adhesive) tosecure base member 60 to cylindrical side wall 20. By machiningcylindrical side 20 and base member 60 from a solid brick of metal, basemember 60 may be less likely to separate from cylindrical wall 20 duringthe operation of hand deployable explosive device 100. This may ensurethat only fragmentation portions 40 and base fragmentation portions 65separate from fragmentation sleeve 10 during an explosion.

Longitudinally extending separation portions 30 and circumferentiallyextending separation portions 32 also may be precision machined alongsleeve 10. A precision machining tool may be used to integrally formseparation portions 30, 32 within cylindrical side wall 20. Firstseparation portions 63 and second separation portions 64 may beprecision machined along base member 60 in the same manner as separationportions 30, 32. In this way, separation portions 63, 64 also may beintegrally formed within base member 60. Separation portions 30, 32, 63,64 may be machined to a thickness of approximately 0.06 inches.Receiving chamber 70 may be defined during a machining process.

In use, hand deployable, non-fragmenting explosive device 100 may beprovided for use with fragmentation sleeve 10. Explosive device 100 maybe slidably received within cylindrical side wall 20 of fragmentationsleeve 10. Additionally, explosive device 100 may be detonated whenreceived within receiving chamber 70 of cylindrical side wall 20. Upondetonation of explosive device 100, an explosive force propagates shockwaves into and through side wall 20 of sleeve 10. Side wall 20 mayseparate along longitudinally extending separation portions 30 andcircumferentially extending separation portions 32 because second wallthickness (t₂) provides a path of least resistance for the shock frontof explosive device 100. Therefore, fragmentation portions 40 may bepropelled radially in a controlled manner. Additionally, base member 60may separate along first separation portions 63 and second separationportions 64 to propel base fragmentation portions 65 axially. As such,the blast pattern of explosive device 100 may correspond to the shape ofsleeve 10. Further, retainer clip 50 may be positioned around explosivedevice 100 so as to firmly receive explosive device 100 withinfragmentation sleeve 10. Retainer clip 50 may couple with retaininggroove 51 along the inner surface of cylindrical side wall 20. Retainerclip 50 also cooperates with cooperating groove 104 along the outersurface of body 103 of explosive device 100.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractices in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosivedevice comprising: a cylindrical side wall defining a longitudinal axis,the side wall including: a plurality of fragmentation portions having afirst wall thickness; a plurality of longitudinally extending separationportions, each longitudinally extending separation portion extendingbetween circumferentially spaced fragmentation portions; and a pluralityof circumferentially extending separation portions, eachcircumferentially extending separation portion extending betweenlongitudinally spaced fragmentation portions, wherein the longitudinallyextending separation portions and the circumferentially extendingseparation portions have a second wall thickness, the second wallthickness being less than the first wall thickness.
 2. The fragmentationsleeve of claim 1, wherein the first wall thickness of the cylindricalside wall is at least 0.20 inches.
 3. The fragmentation sleeve of claim1, wherein the fragmentation portions are comprised of metal.
 4. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein the fragmentation portions areconfigured in the shape of a parallelepiped.
 5. The fragmentation sleeveof claim 4, wherein the fragmentation portions include a length of atleast 0.13 inches and a width of at least 0.10 inches.
 6. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 5, wherein the plurality of fragmentationportions includes at least 220 fragmentation portions.
 7. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 6, wherein the fragmentation portions areconfigured in a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentiallyspaced columns and a plurality of circumferentially extending,longitudinally spaced rows, the longitudinally extending columns beingperpendicular to the circumferentially extending TOWS.
 8. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 7, wherein the plurality of longitudinallyextending, circumferentially spaced columns includes 40 columns.
 9. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 7, wherein the plurality ofcircumferentially extending, longitudinally spaced rows includes 20columns.
 10. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, wherein thelongitudinally extending separation portions and the circumferentiallyextending separation portions are comprised of metal.
 11. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 10, wherein the longitudinally extendingseparation portions include a width no greater than 0.06 inches and thecircumferentially extending separation portions include a width nogreater than 0.06 inches.
 12. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 11,wherein the second wall thickness of the longitudinally extendingseparation portions and the circumferentially extending separationportions is no greater than 0.06 inches.
 13. The fragmentation sleeve ofclaim 12, wherein the longitudinally extending separation portionsextend axially at least 3.3 inches.
 14. The fragmentation sleeve ofclaim 12, wherein the circumferentially extending separation portionsextend at least 7.8 inches around a circumference of the fragmentationsleeve.
 15. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1, further comprising abase member, the base member being coupled to the cylindrical wall. 16.The fragmentation sleeve of claim 15, wherein the base member iscomprised of metal, the side wall is comprised of metal, and the basemember is integral with the side wall.
 17. The fragmentation sleeve ofclaim 15, wherein the base member includes: a plurality of fragmentationportions, the fragmentation portions having a first base thickness; aplurality of first separation portions extending in a first direction;and a plurality of second separation portions, the second separationportions extending perpendicular from the first separation portions,wherein the first separation portions and the second separation portionshave a second base thickness, the second base thickness being less thanthe first base thickness.
 18. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 17,wherein the first base thickness is at least 0.20 inches and the secondbase thickness is no greater than 0.06 inches.
 19. The fragmentationsleeve of claim 17, wherein the first separation portions of the basemember include a width no greater than 0.06 inches and the secondseparation portions of the base member include a width no greater than0.06 inches.
 20. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 17, wherein the basemember includes an outer diameter of at least 2.5 inches.
 21. Thefragmentation sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a retainer clip, theretainer clip being configured to cooperate with a retaining groovewithin the cylindrical side wall, the retainer clip coupling with theexplosive device to retain the explosive device within the cylindricalside wall.
 22. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 21, wherein theretainer clip includes a first portion and a second portion to beretained on the non-fragmenting explosive device, the second portionbiased partially outwardly away from the first portion to be receivedwithin the retaining groove.
 23. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 1,wherein the cylindrical side wall includes an inner surface and an outersurface, the inner surface including a plurality of wedged-shapedportions arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending,circumferentially spaced columns and a plurality of circumferentiallyextending, longitudinally spaced TOWS.
 24. A fragmentation sleeve foruse with a non-fragmenting explosive device comprising: a wall includingan inner surface defining a chamber configured to receive a hand held,non-fragmenting explosive device, the wall further including: aplurality of fragmentation portions; a plurality of first separationportions extending longitudinally between adjacent fragmentationportions; a plurality of second separation portions extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the first separation portions betweenadjacent fragmentation portions; and a coupler supported by the wall andconfigured to releasably couple the hand held explosive device to thewall.
 25. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein thefragmentation portions have a first wall thickness and the separationportions have a second wall thickness less than the first wallthickness.
 26. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, further comprisinga base member coupled to the wall and including: a plurality offragmentation portions having a first base thickness; a plurality offirst separation portions extending in a first direction; and aplurality of second separation portions extending perpendicular from thefirst separation portions, wherein the first and second separationportions have a second base thickness, the first base thickness is atleast 0.20 inches and the second base thickness is no greater than 0.06inches.
 27. The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein the pluralityof first separation portions of the wall and the plurality of secondseparation portions of the wall include longitudinally extendingseparation portions and circumferentially extending separation portions,the longitudinally extending separation portions perpendicularlyintersecting the circumferentially extending separation portions. 28.The fragmentation sleeve of claim 27, wherein the fragmentation portionsare defined intermediate the longitudinally extending separationportions and the circumferentially extending separation portions. 29.The fragmentation sleeve of claim 24, wherein the coupler includes aretainer clip, the retainer clip being configured to cooperate with aretaining groove within the wall, the retainer clip coupling with theexplosive device to retain the explosive device within the sleeve. 30.The fragmentation sleeve of claim 29, wherein the retainer clip whereinthe retainer clip includes a first portion and a second portion to beretained on the non-fragmenting explosive device, the second portionbiased partially outwardly away from the first portion to be receivedwithin the retaining groove.
 31. A method of using a fragmentationsleeve with a non-fragmenting explosive device comprising the steps of:providing a hand held, non-fragmenting explosive device; slidablyreceiving the explosive device within a fragmentation sleeve having aside wall supporting a plurality of fragmentation portions; detonatingthe explosive device, wherein the side wall separates along a pluralityof circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separationportions and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentiallyextending separation portions; and propelling the plurality offragmentation portions positioned between the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending separation portionsand the plurality of longitudinally spaced, circumferentially extendingseparation portions.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising thestep of providing a base member at an end of the side wall.
 33. Themethod of claim 32, further comprising the step of coupling theexplosive device to an inner surface of the side wall.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising the step of inserting a retainer clipwithin the sleeve between the inner surface of the side wall and theexplosive device, a portion of the clip received within a groove formedin the inner surface.